We caught up with Kaylie MacNeil (Production Design and Technical Arts 1, North Bay, ON) one month after she started studying at NTS to see her perspective on the beginning of her journey with us.

Kaylie MacNeil (Production Design and Technical Arts 1, North Bay, ON) and her fellow classmates at Bootcamp, under the guidance of David Jodoin, Technical Director at the Monument-National campus

You spent your first month at school. What are the two things you have learned so far?

Bootcamp was the whole first week of classes and it was our first introduction to NTS. The whole week takes place at the Monument-National and it lays a base so that all the students are on a similar level of technical knowledge going into the first semester. It teaches things like the basics in safety, how to hang lights, run a fly set, use a genie, properly put on a harness and common knots that riggers should know. The reason for this week is so that even if some students have more experience with this stuff than others, at least the less-experienced students will know all the basics and be able to start the year with a common base of knowledge without feeling behind.

Why did you choose the Production Design and Technical Arts program?

I chose the Production Design and Technical Arts program coming from an acting program in North Bay. After graduating from that program, I actually started to work a fair bit on the technical side in shows as a Stage Manager. As I was touring one of the shows, my old professors suggested this program as I was really enjoying stage management. This program delves into all aspects of theatre technical by doing sound, lighting, stage managing, technical directing, production management and a fair bit of rigging as well. As the program states, it’s a completely immersive program into the life and jobs of production and technical arts which will give a good understanding of all the parts of putting on a show.

Why did you choose to study at NTS?

After researching the program, and seeing the variety of classes and experiences, there wasn’t really another school that seemed to be as well-rounded as NTS. By getting to study all these different departments, I know I’ll come out of this school as a technician who has had hands-on experience in each and every one of them. This program will give me knowledge on every department, and will allow me to understand how actors work, how set designers work, and how to confidently coordinate with other departments so that I can fully appreciate and understand everyone’s job.

Wei Qing Tan (Production Design and Technical arts 1, Malaysia) and Kaylie MacNeil (Production Design and Technical Arts 1, North Bay, ON) in movement at Bootcamp

What is the best show you have ever seen and why?

One of the best shows I have ever seen was a production of The Book of Mormon in Chicago. It was so well done in every way that you were completely enraptured from the moment the curtain went up to the second it went down. The music, singing and acting was amazing as well as the use of their set and how every scene flowed seamlessly into the next. The script is well written, clever, shocking and hilarious and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a production that has captured me quite like that one did. I can’t attest to other productions and their set or direction, but I’m sure that with a script like that, you’ll have many laughs and an audience that thoroughly enjoys themselves.

What would you do for a living?

I’m sort of torn between two very different worlds. I grew up in a military family and I’ve seen the whole country because of that. My mother is an avid theatre goer and has been in shows, directed a few and even had a couple of gigs as a stage manager. As a child, I would often be at my mom’s rehearsals and climbing around the theatre and doing small tasks behind the scenes. I had a few choral parts and found that I loved being on stage and involved in theatre. We would also drive into town to see different musicals and shows, so I’ve been immersed in theatre since I was very young.

The other part of my life is that I’ve also wanted to be in the military since I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. Having heard stories from both my parents about their time in service, it always sounded like such an amazing job, and I’m now in a position to professionally pursue my theatre dream as well as work in the Canadian Forces. I want to be able to balance my career as a theatre professional while still being able to serve my country. Being in the military, and being a reservist, I’m only part-time but I enjoy the work I do there and the things I’ve been able to experience thus far. I can only explain it as the best of both worlds and I wouldn’t exchange one for the other.

Who would you like to work with when you get out of school and why?

At the moment I’m not sure who I want to work with, only because there are so many options in regard to stage managing and lighting (which are my main interests right now) and I’m not sure what I want to pursue or where. I know I loved living out on the coasts, so being able to work out east or out west would be amazing, but I’m keeping my options open because I’m not sure what will be best for me once I graduate.

Wei Qing Tan (Production Design and Technical arts 1, Malaysia) at Bootcamp

Can you tell me how your artistic vision is important as Production Design and Technical
Arts student and how this is reflected in your day-to-day work?

Just like the director, as a stage manager/lighting designer/sound/designer, etc., you need to have a vision of what the show will look, sound and flow like. You should have a goal from the first rehearsal until opening night (and through until closing) so that you can do your best for the outcome of the show. Actors get to put the script on stage and bring it to life, but it’s just as important for everyone else to have a vision for the show so that you have something to work towards and create. As we go through our three years of school (more so in the second and third year, I think), we are in many different meetings with the other programs so that we can manage and make sure that all of our thoughts and expectations for the production are on the same track. That way when it comes time to put all of our work in the space, we’re all in the same mindset so that things can flow as smoothly as possible and nothing comes as a surprise to one person or another.

What is a role of an artist in society according to you?

An artist, whether it’s an actor, technician, comedian, painter, dancer, singer, etc., we have a kind of obligation to show the world our thoughts and visions and creative processes and it is incredibly powerful and intimate to be able to share part of yourself with audiences. We are whom people turn to when they need or want a break from their own lives. We can make them feel good things and bad things, introduce them to new ideas and concepts, and we can touch their hearts. Artists can influence minds and motivate people, and it can create unknown links between strangers who relate or feel drawn to certain pieces. I love the fact that you can talk to a bunch of different people who saw the same show, performance or art work, and each of them will have taken something different away from it. I think we, as artists, are tasked with creating worlds of make-believe and realism, illustrating sadness and laughter, and we are able to express it in so many different ways. We are free to connect with people in a way I think many people would be too afraid or unable to do so.

Kaylie MacNeil (Production Design and Technical Arts 1, North Bay, ON) is a first-year student in Production Design and Technical Arts at the National Theatre School of Canada.

The Production Design and Technical Arts programs paves the way to many exciting artistic careers: technical direction, production management, stage management, light, video and sound design. Learn more about the program!

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